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Author
Topic: fatigued, will starting meds help (Read 4988 times)

hi,I have been POZ for about 4-5 years have always had a relatively low CD4 and viral load - but both fairly stable. CD4; 360-460 no trend either way, VL; 8-15k. Lately I been feeling very tired, but otherwise no HIV events or illnesses. All blood work doesn't indicate anthing wrong (i.e. no anemia, no Hep, etc.) Free testosterone was low so now I'm on androgel. Still very tired. My question is should I start meds even though I don't "need" them based on HHS guidelines. Have any of you, who might have been suffering from fatigue, seen a noticeable difference after staring meds? Any input would be appreciated.

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"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt."

thanks for your reply Michael. I forgot to add that I am on antidepressants and have been long before my HIV. So I am familiar with the effects of depression, unfortunately. This somehow feels different though. Seems much more physical than emotional. It is true that sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

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"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt."

Could be, when I started meds I felt more energetic than I had in years....

That's true. Of course I started meds after a long bout with esophageal candiasis, weight loss, and pneumonia, so resolving those might have helped too.

But now that you mention it, I could see where having a much lower viral load could take some of the stress on your immune system constantly trying to keep HIV in check. It's not conscious work, but your body is fighting an infection.

i am with you libvet. i started meds after i had a bout of pneumocystis & cmv retinitis. so after just a few weeks of treatment i was feeling like a new man. i think that over time even though your numbers are good the stress that hiv can carry on your body slowly tears you apart. the stress of just having hiv, the stress of not knowing where your numbers could lead, the stress of worrying about everything can be causing your fatigue as well. i would definitely talk to your doctor & see what they have to say about all of the factors.

Gonna chime in here that starting meds gave me back a level of energy that I have not had in more than 2 years. It is like I used to have two jobs, one of which was fighting HIV without assistance, and now with the meds, that job is handled as long as I adhere to the med schedule.

Energy, appetite, better outlook... I got a whole lot of quality of life back from starting meds, and I hope you do too, bman.

I started meds n 5 days later I was bouncing round like Tigger. My viral load was 181,000 or sommat like that. I did feel tired before I started, indeed that was the defining symptom. Not really ill, kinda physically 50%, like a half-charged battery.

I went five years from discovering I was positive until my CD4 count crashed into the low 200's. Viral count was always in the 15-25K range. I started my meds on Thanksgiving and almost finishing up my third week. For me, I have more energy now then i have in a long time plus I feel a major burden off my shoulders meaning WHEN was I going to start the meds and how was I going to react to them.

Your body is diverting lots of energy to keep status quo so it's extremely likely the fatigue is being brought on by HIV. it could also be stress at work (or home) or a variety of other things. You know your situation and should discuss it with the doc who can advise you on the next steps.

My fatigue got much worse after starting meds. I also am taking Androgel. It helped some but not much. I tried acupuncture, you name it. I finally found an Applied kinesiologist that has helped me tremendously with all natural supplements.

Hey, I have seen a moderate boost in energy since I started meds 5 days ago. However my nausea, diarrhea, and my low apetite have all gotten much better. For me personally, I would have started meds if my cd4 count fell below 350. The HIV has ravaged my digestive system, and the drugs to treat the PCP have damaged my liver. My body with the help of the meds is fighting to repair needless damage that occurred because I did not treat my HIV on time because of denial.

Fatigue can be caused by a variety of things and yes, HIV itself can cause fatigue. I had a much lower CD4 count than you when I started meds but a lower viral load before I started meds and I had severe fatigue--to the point where I barely could work and go to school and would go to my car between classes to take naps and then sleep after classes were over (luckily I never have been someone who needs to study to get good grades). I even took naps before I went to bed for the night. I also previously had bouts with CMV and shingles, so my body had fatigue from fighting off various illnesses in additon to HIV. The feeling crappy also led to me not feeling like eating, so I think there was a nutrition component as well. Anyway when I finally started meds, the difference was really between night and day. I was amazed at how much energy I got. I could interact with people, go out, date, and had energy to exercise, so for me, when I got on meds I improved greatly. Though, I also improved enough to gain a little too much weight as my elbow disease came back where everytime my elbow bends, my mouth flies open. Now, of course this may not happen to everyone. Some meds can worsen fatigue. Also your fatigue can have a different cause. I just happen to be on a good regimine that I tolerate very well and rebounded very well, to triple my count. Not everyone is so lucky, though. So your question is difficult to say either way.

i think the Sustiva component is what causes the most fatigue. i know about not feeling well and not being able to eat. i eat much better now and i am on Androgel to help combat the fatigue. i get a minimum of 8 hours sleep and i dont sleep late. i try to nap during the day but usually cant fall asleep but will lay there and rest a few minutes to recoup. anyways it's like the saying "some days are better than others".

If there is no physical cause that can be found, you could be depressed.

Lord knows, having HIV is a hard burden to bear and a constant source of worry and stress.

One of the major symptoms of depression is fatigue.

I'm not ashamed to admit I'm on antidepresssants and have been ever since I was diagnosed.

Michael

I was ready to beat my doctor the other day for claiming the fatigue is all in my head and saying it's depression. I know for a fact I am not the same as I was. I've been sleeping or should I say hibernating. I get exhausted easily and what not. I'm going on 10 months since diag. and I'm not on meds yet, but I can't help but logically think this is the HIV. I had a surgery in October to correct a deviated septum so I could breath better and that didn't even help. I breath just fine and wanted to have that done before I was on any meds to avoid any extra complications.

The only thing I have noticed that has helped with fatigue is that selenium stuff. Been on it for bout a week and a half and have noticed improved energy.

But, I'm gona bitch slap the next person who tells me I'm depressed I'm actually fed up with this doctor and dumping her.

Thanks to all you guys for posting your replies. I was looking for answers on this.